Chapter 36
Adam's mouth pressed against mine with bruising force. His hand gripped my waist hard enough to leave marks. I felt the door solid against my back, his body trapping me in place.
I shoved at his chest. Hard. He didn't budge.
So I lifted my foot and brought the heel of my stiletto down on his instep with everything I had.
He jerked back with a sharp intake of breath, but his grip on my waist didn't loosen.
Before he could recover, I drove my knee up into his groin.
Not full force. But enough.
Adam doubled over slightly, one hand moving to his stomach. His face twisted in pain.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped.
He didn't answer. Just stood there, still bent forward, breathing hard. One hand rubbed at his shin. The other pressed against his lower abdomen.
I turned toward the door.
His hand shot out and grabbed my wrist again.
I spun around, fury blazing. "What do you want?"
He straightened slowly. His grey-green eyes locked onto mine. His voice came out rough and raw.
"I want you."
I froze.
My brain stuttered. Tried to process. Failed.
"What?"
He stepped closer. His grip on my wrist loosened but didn't release. "You heard me."
"I..." My throat felt tight. "What does that even mean?"
His gaze didn't waver. "Exactly what you think it means."
Heat flooded my face. My pulse hammered in my ears.
"You're insane," I whispered.
He lifted my hand to his mouth. Pressed a soft, wet kiss against my knuckles.
Then he looked up at me.
"Maya. I'm losing my mind."
I couldn't breathe.
"I've been trying to control it," he said quietly. "But I can't."
"Your face is in my head every goddamn day."
"I dream about you. About fucking you. About—"
I yanked my hand back. "Stop."
"Why did you come back?" His voice cracked slightly. "I had it under control. And then you showed up and everything—"
"Adam." My voice shook. "What are you saying?"
He stared at me for a long moment.
"You still don't get it?"
I didn't respond. Couldn't.
I understood. Part of me did. But I didn't trust it. Didn't believe it.
He'd called us a "minor episode." Said he'd forgotten. Moved on.
And now this?
He took another step forward. Pulled me into his arms before I could react.
His head dropped to my shoulder. His breath warm against my neck.
"You said you wanted to marry someone rich," he murmured. "I'm rich, Maya. Very rich."
Silence stretched between us.
I felt his heartbeat against my chest. Felt the tension in his muscles.
Finally, he lifted his head. Looked at me.
"Not going to answer?"
"Adam." I forced the words out. "Do you actually want to marry me?"
He didn't answer.
Of course he didn't.
Because he couldn't.
Whatever this was—lust, obsession, leftover feelings—it wasn't enough.
He had doubts. Baggage. Resentment.
And I refused to be the woman he settled for out of desperation.
His jaw tightened. "It's Julian, isn't it?"
My breath caught.
"You like him," Adam continued. His tone turned cold. "He's not as rich as me. And he's never going to marry you."
Something inside me snapped.
"You don't need to remind me!" I shouted. "I know!"
"I'm not stupid enough to think Julian Garrison would marry someone like me. I don't need you—or your asshole friends—rubbing it in my face over and over again!"
"I'm just a regular person, Adam. I don't have a family fortune. I don't have connections. I'm not good enough for Julian. And I'm sure as hell not good enough for you!"
I shoved him away and ran for the door.
---
I made it to my car before the tears came.
My hands shook as I gripped the steering wheel. My vision blurred.
I couldn't drive like this.
I pulled over onto a side street and stopped the car.
Then I collapsed forward, my forehead hitting the steering wheel.
And I cried.
Ugly, gasping sobs that tore through my chest.
Adam had just told me he wanted me.
But he couldn't even say he wanted to marry me.
He thought I was after Julian. That I was still the same gold-digging opportunist he'd convinced himself I was five years ago.
He looked down on me. Always had. Always would.
And the worst part?
I'd almost believed him. Almost let myself hope.
I don't know how long I sat there.
Eventually, the tears stopped. My breathing evened out.
I wiped my face with the back of my hand. Started the car.
I had to pick up Amy.
---
The next morning, I walked into Julian's office with a cup of tea.
He looked up from his computer. "Morning."
"Morning." I set the tea on his desk. "Julian, I'm sorry."
He frowned. "For what?"
"For dragging you into this mess. With Adam. With—everything."
Julian leaned back in his chair. Studied me for a moment.
"Maya." His tone was careful. "What's your relationship with Adam Sterling?"
This was the second time he'd asked.
I couldn't avoid it anymore.
"Five years ago," I said slowly, "when we were both in Cleveland... we dated for a while."
Julian's eyes widened slightly. He let out a long breath.
"And Amy?"
I hesitated. Then nodded. "She's his."
Julian closed his eyes. Rubbed a hand over his face.
"Shit," he muttered.
"I'm sorry," I said again. My voice cracked. "I didn't mean for any of this to—"
"You keep apologizing," Julian interrupted. He opened his eyes and looked at me directly. "If you feel that guilty about it, then take responsibility."
I blinked. "What?"
"Marry me."
I stared at him.
He held my gaze for three seconds.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Oh my God, Maya. Your face." He shook his head, still grinning. "I'm kidding. Relax."
I exhaled shakily. "That wasn't funny."
"It was a little funny." He picked up his tea and took a sip. "Come on. I'm a bastard son, but at least I've got money and a decent face. Most women would jump at that proposal."
He grinned. "You're really gonna turn me down?"
I turned toward the door. "I wouldn't dare climb that high, Mr. Garrison. If there's nothing else, I'll get back to work."